Pronunciation: im- ' br ā s
Function: verb
Inflected Form: em · braced ; em · brac · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French embracer, from en- + brace pair of arms ― more at BRACE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to clasp in the arms : HUG b : CHERISH , LOVE
2 : ENCIRCLE , ENCLOSE
3 a : to take up especially readily or gladly < embrace a cause> b : to avail oneself of : WELCOME < embraced the opportunity to study further>
4 a : to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole <charity embrace s all acts that contribute to human welfare> b : to be equal or equivalent to <his assets embraced $10>
intransitive verb : to participate in an embrace
synonyms see ADOPT , INCLUDE
– embrace · able \ - ' br ā -s ə -b ə l \ adjective
– em · brace · ment \ - ' br ā s-m ə nt \ noun
– em · brac · er noun
– em · brac · ing · ly \ - ' br ā -si ŋ -l ē \ adverb